It's always best to choose sun creams that have an SPF of 30 or above, and a UV star rating of at least four stars, as these will protect you best. In addition, some sun creams contain chemicals that some people may find irritating or cause a reaction on their skin. This high-factor natural and vegan sunscreen does leave a white sheen on your skin. However, this is due to its non-nano mineral UV filters, which reflect harmful UV rays. In terms of skincare, organic virgin coconut oil and shea butter protect the moisture level in young skins. Water resistance: For a sun cream to be water resistant, it must have undergone testing to show that it stays effective for at least 40 minutes in the water. After this time, you will need to reapply.

Delial BB Sun Cream, 5 in 1 sun protection cream SPF 50 50 ml

To help you through this minefield I’ve done some research. As such, I’ve come up with a few reliable eco-friendly sunscreen brands – from vegan-friendly to reef-safe options, and more. Each offers a good SPF. And all creams featured also offer both UVA and UVB protection and are safe for all of the family to use. All ingredients are grown biodynamically by Weleda. Where this isn’t possible, ingredients are ethically sourced from around the world. The sunscreen itself is great for very sensitive skin, including babies and children. The mineral zinc oxide is the active ingredient, delivered in non-nano format. As such, it offers broad-spectrum UVA and SPF30 UVB protection without any harmful chemicals. Dr Paul Banwell, who runs The Banwell Clinic and is the previous head and founder of The Melanoma and Skin Cancer Unit (MASCU) in East Grinstead, agrees. He told us: "I cannot emphasise enough the importance of selecting a broad spectrum sunscreen, which will protect against UVB and UVA rays. UVB rays cause redness and sunburn as well as skin cancer, while UVA rays can also cause cancer as well as ageing of the skin. Newer sunscreens have infrared (IR) protection too and should be considered." Sun creams to avoid: The warning signs to look out forThe fragrance-free formula is also clinically tested. As such, it’s suitable for sensitive skin – both babies and adults. Badger Sunscreen is one of the best eco-friendly sunscreens on the market. It offers an SPF of 30 and provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays. It’s 100% harsh chemical-free. What’s more, it contains 87% certified organic ingredients and is hypoallergenic. This makes it safe for every member of the family, even little ones. MAKING sure you are wearing the right amount of sunscreen will protect your from the lobster look and skin cancer Our Garnier Travel Size Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Sun Cream SPF50+ provides very high protection against sun induced skin damage and sunburn. This non-greasy formula is specially developed for all skin types including fair and sensitive skin. UV protection: Sun creams receive a UV star rating out of 5, which measures how well a sunscreen protects against the sun’s UVA rays. Broad-spectrum sun creams protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

Sun Spray Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Sensitive Advanced Sun Spray

Our Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Sun Cream SPF50+ provides very high protection against sun induced skin damage and sunburn. This non-greasy formula is specially developed for all skin types including fair and sensitive skin. If your face or certain areas of skin are going to be super exposed to the sun for long periods then you should not only rely on suncream but wear a brimmed hat and sunglasses and cover the upper body with a rash vest or long-sleeved light cotton top. Sun cream alone cannot completely protect the skin from direct UV rays over a longer period of time." How often should I reapply sun cream? Dr Paul Banwell told us, "Some sunscreens use chemicals, such as oxybenzone, a known- allergen, and avobenzone to absorb UV rays, which can be detected in the body at harmful levels." Questions have been raised about the ingredients in conventional sunscreen. Whilst in the past, more sustainable options have been limited, in 2023 the market for sustainable sunscreen has grown hugely. What To Look For In An Eco-Friendly SunscreenThis exceptionally pure, 100% natural, eco-friendly sunscreen was the first sun lotion to be accredited as both Fairtrade and organic. What’s more, it’s also cruelty-free and certified vegan, as well as being plastic-free. People tend to burn their nose more than any other body part, so don’t forget to apply sun cream there, as well as to the tops of your ears and the delicate skin on your lips Green People have also confirmed that it is reef-safe, so good news if you are planning on diving or snorkelling.

Garnier Ambre Solaire | Superdrug

Weleda’s SPF 30 Sunscreen offers waterproof UVA and UVB sun protection with natural non-nano mineral UV filters. Our Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Dry Mist SPF50+ provides very high protection against sun induced skin damage and sunburn. This ultra-light formula is non-greasy and leaves no white marks on skin. With Ceramide, providing UVA & UVB protection and instant skin barrier function protection. If you're someone who's in and out of the pool or sea when the sun comes out, then this formula from Bondi Sands might be the one for you. It's specially formulated to be water resistant for four hours - far longer than the 40 minute criteria that other water resistant sun creams must meet. It's infused with ethically sourced algae for deep hydration and is, of course, reef friendly too. I’m all about eco-friendly beauty products. From sustainable soap to plastic-free conditioner and to zero-waste makeup, I always think that the best products are ones that work well, are effective, affordable, and are made sustainably. The sunscreen market should be no different. Ah, fortunately, we have more choice than simply Green People Nano particle or sunburn – Odylique suncream which is a very effective and doesn’t contain Nano, or any harmful chemicals at all. The whole point of using healthier suncreams is that they don’t have a risk of negative effects on the environment or our health in the long term. Conventional suncreams found in Boots are still FDA-level approved. ‘Green washing’ is big business and people paying more for a product that still carries risk is just bonkers. There are multiple research papers showing the negative effects of nano from cancer to immune disruption. Do we wait until nano particles have been ‘proven’ either way by which time they are embedded in the environment to such a degree it is impossible to retrieve before people choose not to buy them? It takes over 10 years to change chemical regulations to stop their widespread use, even after being ‘proven’ has happened. And what does proven mean? It requires the experiment to replicable and funnily enough, with complex systems such as human beings and the environment, its hard to replicate time and time again – especially if the experiments are conducted in vitro or using animals other than humans. Some people still believe the human affects of climate change isn’t proven….should we wait for that to be proven as well before we change our habits and protect the planet?????Reapply sun cream a minimum of every two hours and make sure you always reapply after swimming, exercise, sweating and towelling Oxybenzoneis another ingredient to avoid as it is easily absorbed by the skin and enters the bloodstream, and it can disrupt your hormones as well as causing terrible harm to the environment. He added, "Other ingredients that may cause reactions include benzophenones, cinnamates and dibenzoylmethane.